Troops dismantle 32 illegal bunkering sites, destroy 54 boats in Niger Delta

Troops from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army have dismantled 32 illegal bunkering sites and destroyed 54 locally constructed boats used for oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

The operation, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, also led to the arrest of several suspects and the interception of vehicles transporting stolen products.

Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, reported significant progress in the ongoing anti-oil bunkering operations.

In Rivers State, troops successfully deactivated two illegal refining sites in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Council.

These sites contained three large tanks with over 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil, six drums filled with over 1,200 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and two mini tanks holding over 3,000 litres of stolen products.

Additionally, four dugout pits with over 12,000 litres of crude oil were discovered and several empty tanks recovered.

At Soku Gas Plant in Akuku-Toru Local Council, troops intercepted a tugboat carrying over 50,000 litres of AGO and arrested five crew members.

In Karakrama, Degema Local Council, 21 wooden boats and 12 fibre boats were destroyed, with over 28,000 litres of stolen crude confiscated.

In other parts of the Niger Delta, including Bayelsa and Delta States, the troops deactivated more illegal refining sites and recovered thousands of litres of stolen crude.

In AkwaIbom State, two trucks carrying over 30,000 litres of stolen products were intercepted along the Port-Harcourt-IkotAbasi road.